I have in mind to
teach in accordance with the four objectives, viz: (1) to gain more
knowledgeable experience, (2) to enhance the treasures of faith and
reverence, (3) to make it obvious for developing karuna, and
(4) to display and disclose the manner of contemplating Vipassana.
Only after I have taught the manner of arising of mahakaruna,
I shall proceed to describe the manner by which muditabrahmavihara
is to be developed.

Having
already explained the manner of arising of Mahakaruna concerning
four kinds of dhammuddesa, Ishall deliver the dhamma
relating to how sentient beings are hit and pierced by arrows, how they
are enmeshed, how they are drifting in the current or stream of water,
and how they are being burnt by blazing fires. Let me first teach on
how living beings are pierced by arrows.

Lokasannivaso
- Allbeings, sasallo - are struck or pierced by arrows!
Puthusallehi - Withmany arrows, viddho - they
are hit and pierced. Annatara maya - Exceptme, the Buddha,
sallanam uddhata - capableof taking out, or removing
the arrow that has pierced, annokoci - any other single person,
natthiti - isnot yet born and in existence. Passantanam
- Seeing,nay, being perceived as such, buddhanam bhagavantanam
- inthe persons of Buddhas, sattesu
- towardsbeings, mahakaruna - Great Compassion or
Pity, okkamati - has occurred. It has been stated as such.

"Silla" in
this regard refers to a stump or an arrow. It would be acceptable if
it were mentioned as a 'stump', i.e. a pointed stout piece of wood projected
from the ground. However, in the Commentary (Atthakatha), it has been
stated as 'arrow'. Hence, one may imagine as having had sympathy for
all beings who are pierced by arrows. Just as people are injured or
wounded by gunshots while fighting in a war, as in the present era,
the people in the ancient times who were hit by arrows during skirmishes,
also received injuries. Sentient beings face sufferings similar to those
who have suffered from pain caused by the piercing arrows. The kind
of arrows that has pierced is akusala, arrows of demerits, such
as raga, dosa, moha, mina, Ditthi and kilesas, which are
vices, the immoral conduct. If pierced through the body from the breast
to the backbone, it would be very distressing and painful. In the same
manner, beings are really pitiable for having been hit and pierced by
the seven arrows of raga, dosa, etc.

And yet, as ordinary
worldlings, they are rather pleased for being pierced by the arrows.
Sentient beings in the Kana - abode enjoying all the sensations
of sensual pleasures (kamaguna) have found a taste for kamaraga.
That is why they are nurturing and encouraging kamavaga and
are in hot pursuit of the sensations of sensual pleasures. From the
point of view of Buddhas and Arahats, they see and feel the arising
sensations of kamaraga as being unbearable just as if they are
pierced by arrows. Raga which tends to have pleasurable attachment
to Rupa-bhava (Form Existences) and Arupa-bhava (Formless
Existence) has the same nature of intolerance that can hardly be endured.
The manner of piercing by the arrow of anger is more conspicuous. From
a state of happiness which reflects on personal appearances, the complexion
of the face immediately turns black, ugly and gloomy when anger blazes
up. The mind also becomes morbid, restless and intolerable. However,
the man in an angry mood thinks of the rising -anger as pleasurable.
For this reason, if any other person with goodwill intervenes to bring
about a compromise and advises to refrain from anger and bearing grudge,
an angry person is likely to resent. He may even think of that mediator
as unfairly taking sides.

Moha means
a mistaken or false view - not knowing what is right or true. What is
impermanent or transitory is thought of as permanent and everlasting.
All things which are incessantly arising and dissolving are considered
as pleasurable. The nature of rupa and nama which is not
an atta, a living entity, is looked upon as a living entity,
a being, or 'Self'. If raga and dosa occur, moha follows
suit. Sentient beings pierced by arrows of moha (delusion) are
in misery. Under delusion, a person commits anything which is improper,
by physical action or by speech or by thought. Having done so, only
demerits are derived thereby causing miserable conditions.

Also
because of the arrow or stump of mana, one meets with misery for his
unworthy self-pride or vanity, and because of the arrow of Dittha
which has pierced through the mental khandha, men cling to
false beliefs. They cannot discard or part with them. Falsely hoping
to gain benefits, what ought not to be done, is done physically, verbally
and mentally. Because of these vices, they all suffer misery. During
the lifetime of the Lord Buddha, Puranakassapa and a bunch of five other
teachers of a heretical Sect together with their adherents had unfortunately
accumulated a great deal of demerits for committing vices. They had
gone to the extent of doing wrong to the Buddha. For these vicious thoughts
and-evil actions (wrong doings), they had derived akusala, demerits,
in return. For these demerits, they were committed to Hell and had suffered
intense misery as a result. There are quite a number of people who are
suffering misery for being pierced by this arrow of Dittha orfalse belief.

There
are other sufferings for being pierced by the rest of the kilesas,
such as, Vicikiccha, sceptical doubts. Vicikiccha means
feeling of doubt as to whether the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha are really
the Truth. Uncertainty regarding the derivation of advantages in practising
Sila, Samadhi and Vipassana, or the attainment
of jhana, or the achievement. of Vipassana insight-knowledge,
or the realisation of Nibbana through Magga-nana and phala-nana
are also "Vicikiccha". Then, if any doubt arises as to whether
rebirth will really take place in existences under happy conditions
by virtue of kusala-kamma, or one has to suffer in the four nether
worlds for the resultant effects of his akusala-kamma, immoral
actions, it is "vicikiccha". For having been pierced by the arrow
of Vicikiccha, no practical meditation exercise can be done in
accordance with the correct method or on the right lines. Such being
the case, there will hardly be any chance to escape from the miseries
of Samsara which are bound to come across.

And
next, the piercing arrow of what is called 'duccarita' - evil
deeds or misconduct - is conjoined with 'the arrows of kilesas' such
as raga and dosa. When raga is raging, evil deeds
of duccarita-kamma, such as, acts of killing, stealing, cheating,
etc., are sure to be committed. For such akusala-kamma or demeritorious'
(immoral) actions, one would descend to the four Apayas and suffer misery.
Undoubtedly, there are a number of people who will go down to the Four
Apayas or Nether Worlds, and who will thereby suffer miserable
conditions.

Compassion, therefore,
had arisen in the heart of Buddha for having seen those beings who were
pierced by arrows, such as, raga, etc. Being moved to compassion,
which had sprung from the heart, Buddha had delivered His Teachings
under varying circumstances for the entire period of 45 years, day and
night, without rest. Individuals who have diligently practised in accordance
with His Teachings, are, therefore, able to get rid of the piercing
arrows of raga, etc. If one arrow that has pierced through can
be extracted or removed, he gets better to the extent a single arrow
would have caused him hurt or pain. Accordingly, one who assiduously
practises Dhanna gradually gets rid of the arrows of kilesas one after
another until he is entirely relieved from all sufferings.